2000 250SD starting problems (Help Please)

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Dec 10, 2005 | 08:10 AM

Lafeve

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Joined: Apr 2005

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2000 250SD starting problems (Help Please)

I have a 2000 ford 250SD 2WD Automatic with the 5.4 liter V8. Starting approx.1 month ago I started having starting problems. If I let the truck sit for a while (like overnight) and try to start it, it will fire up for half of a second and then die immediatly or sometimes idle really rough. If I start the truck while holding the gas partially down it will start but not want to idle, I have to hold the gas down a little for 10 - 20 seconds then the rpms pick up and it will Idle fine. The real frusterating thing is it is intermittent but does seem to happen more in the cold weather.
I have changed the fuel filter, and tested the fuel pressure but all seems fine. Does anyone know what it could be? Please respond.

Dec 10, 2005 | 08:46 AM

99f350sd

Lead Driver

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 9,303

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

The IAC or idle air control valve can stick or go bad on these engines. Sounds like you have a bad or dirty one. Its bolted to the throtle body by 2 8mm screws and a connector. Most guy's get a new one, some try to clean it.

Dec 10, 2005 | 09:13 AM

dmp437

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Joined: Jun 2005

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Ditto the IAC; it's dirty or trashed. At rest (no one's foot on the pedal) the butterfly in the throttle body is closed. So when you try to start the motor fuel is present via the injectors but no air because of the closed throttle plate. The engine computer opens the IAC the correct amount based on a bunch of ambient parameters and the motor fires right up. When you start the truck by holding the pedal it's now getting air but won't idle because it's the right amount of air; you're either too rich or too lean and the truck idles roughly.

Pull the valve and soak it in carb cleaner and it should clear it up.

Dec 10, 2005 | 07:36 PM